I'm looking for some new tyres for my Heckler, used mostly in Derbyshire. I've been running Kujos for the past couple of years (on an all day X-country bike!), with a grand total of 2 punctures (both of them thorns). Prior to this I used to pinch flat nigh on every ride. I'm getting a bit p!ssed off hauling the weight around though. Vertical Pro's would appear to be the way forward, but are they reasonably snake bite proof?. What's the grip like?

From the experiences of a mate of mine, I can tell you that they grip really well for the first few rides, then go decidedly average. And they pinch puncture at every opportunity. Try something like an IRC back-country. Lighter than the Kujo's, but still 2.25. Roll very well as well. Panaracer Fire XC pros are very good as well. I switched to them after using Kujos, and I've never looked back.

I've got the Vertical Pros (wire bead) which cost £24 each. So far I'm very impressed with them. Grip is great. Had them for a couple of months. I was looking for a tyre that did it all in the dry/mud and crap and in most reviews people seemed to opt for the Verti Pros. I've heard the Fire Pro and Back country are good too but don't have the same grip? Never heard the problem of losing grip or puncturing easily - hope not! All three tyres are good.

I've got them and am pretty happy, I haven't ridden them in the mud much but everywhere else they are good. For such a big tyre with a major tread the rolling resistance seems pretty reasonable too.

I've got a steel beaded pair which I've had for quite a while now. I think the're fantastic tyres, very light for the size. Not as big as some 2.3's but a good comfortable tyre with good grip. Mud performance is good but depends a lot on your frame clearance, my rear wheel is fairly tight in my Chameleon. I've never pinch flatted mine but then I'm pretty light. Currently just got back from Coed where I was riding my fave tyre - the fire pro 2.1.

my friend from Shimano has been running those tires all summer, no problems, likes them, pretty grippy, but a bit weighty for xc racing. he rates them for all day free riding.

Thats a very good way of describing them 'All Day Free Riding', spot on !.

Thanks for your comments. I've tried Backcountries and Fire XC's. The Backcountries pinch too easily at full sus speeds, but they're my hardtail tyre of choice. The Fires were alright in the dry when they were new, but went off quite quick. I never found them great in the wet.